With the local government elections set for November 1, political parties gear-up for the polls.
Most of Tshwane political parties have elected mayoral candidates.
Here is an introduction to one of the candidates.
Introduction and personal background:
My name is Randall Williams. I am an attorney with a Master’s degree in law specialising in international investment and trade law from the University of Stellenbosch. I have always had an interest in international trade having spent a large part of my working career at the Department of Trade and Industry where I was the Chief Director in trade policy and negotiations. I also served on the Companies Tribunal for four years. In this roles I was able to develop strong leadership and management skills.
What is the background of your political career?
My political career began in 2016 when I was elected as councillor in Tshwane. I was then chosen as the MMC for economic development and spatial planning. In these roles I drove major developments in the city and helped to facilitate development. As leader of Executive Business it was also my role to actively support the mayor in the run-up to council and drive his political objectives.
On October 30, 2020, I was elected as mayor of Tshwane.
Why did you join and decide to actively participate in politics?
I entered politics because I felt I could make a valuable contribution to the running of the City of Tshwane. Having worked extensively in the public sector I had strong knowledge of the legislation and policies which drive development. Furthermore, I believe in the Democratic Alliance and its values and felt that it was important that I support the DA in seeking to govern Tshwane so that I could be part of change in the city.
Which party are you affiliated to?
Democratic Alliance
What is your vision for the city?
It is critically important that we return financial stability to the city while also driving core service delivery. My vision is to invest heavily in the development of critical infrastructure that allows the city to grow and develop so that we encourage businesses to establish themselves in the city. This also requires ensuring we strive for excellence in the provision of basic services so businesses are able to expand their operations.
What change do you hope to bring?
I want to prioritise and drive responsiveness in the city. This I believe is critical because we must demonstrate to residents that we acknowledge their needs and we intend to deliver on them. As public servants we must be open and honest in all that we do and I want to instill a culture of transparency across the institution.
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